Post Show Thoughts: Patrick, Kasich debate 2012 politics

Today's program showed that the debate over which candidate is right for the economy continues. Governors John Kasich (R-OH) and Deval Patrick (D-MA) traded jabs over both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama's economic record.

Kasich said this week's unemployment numbers "frighten" him and called dysfunction in Washington one of the reasons for it.

He also argued that some of the blame should go towards his own party. "You think I'm happy with the fact that I left Washington and the Republicans that controlled everything blew the budget up?" Kasich asked rhetorically. "No," he answered.

However, Kasich maintained that most of the blame must go to the top. "The executive is not leading," he said.

Governor Patrick, on the other hand said a do-nothing Congress is a major part of the economic turmoil. "What we have right now is a Congress which has decided that there is a political advantage in stymieing this president, putting ideology ahead of country."

You can watch the entire program on our website to hear more from governors as well as our political roundtable featuring Romney Senior Adviser Kevin Madden, Republican strategist Alex Castellanos, President of the Center for American Progress Neera Tanden, and Atlanta’s Mayor Kasim Reed (D).

Plus a special conversation with former Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bill Bradley on his new book "We Can All Do Better" as well as what is needed to break the gridlock in Washington.

We're off next Sunday for NBC Sports coverage of the French Open. We'll be back the following week.